Reasons For The Increase In The Popularity Of Organic Farming

Organic farming refers to a form of cultivation where an agronomist does not use pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and chemical fertilizers to grow various kinds of food crops. There is growing concern among consumers around the world regarding the harmful effects of the chemical products farmers use in industrial agriculture on their health and the environment. This is the reason why many people in this profession are turning their attention away from this form of farming and opting to take up eco-friendly organic agriculture. Moreover, the increasing demand of natural organic food products among consumers and the businesses operating in the agrarian sector is also justifying the decision of these practitioners.

What makes organic farming different from conventional agriculture?

Geoffrey Morell, proprietor of P.A. Bowen Farmstead, explains that in conventional industrial agriculture farmers use chemical fertilizers to grow crops on their farms. This implies adding chemicals such as nitrogen phosphate or potassium to the soil in order to increase its productiveness. On the other hand, cultivators in organic farming depend on microorganisms that are beneficial to their land and rock dust to perform the same task. Again, the practitioners of this profession have to rely on pesticides to eradicate various forms of microscopic bacteria to increase the ability of the crops they grow to take in nutrients from the soil. In the case of organic farming, cultivators employ viable eco-friendly techniques to accomplish the job.

This leading agriculturalist further clarifies that organic farming has the following benefits over industrial agriculture:

Increase in productivity

Most farmers find the transition from conventional farming to organic an expensive venture in the initial stages. However, the increasing use of crop rotation techniques, compost pits and natural manure to enhance the fertility of the soil will reward their efforts at the end of the fifth year. During this period, they notice a significant increase in the productivity of the farm in comparison to conventional agriculture.

Cost-effectiveness

The extensive use of eco-friendly farming techniques by cultivators in organic farming enables them to reduce overhead production costs to a significant percentage. This is because they do not have to spend substantial amounts of money on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Increases soil fertility without much effort

Organic agriculturists employ various forms of microorganisms to enable the soil to absorb nutrients effectively. This enhances its fertility of their farms for decades even with negligible human effort and expenditure. On the other hand, the toxic chemicals in fertilizers and pesticides do more harm to the earth than good.

Farmers get a higher price for their produce

With the increasing awareness of the health benefits of organic food products among consumers, practitioners in this form of agriculture can get lucrative prices of their produce. This increase in revenue goes a long way in improving their economic status.

People can opt to consume healthier food items

The most important advantage of organic farming is its ability to offer people with the choice to opt for healthier food products that are free from toxic chemicals.

Geoffrey Morell says the above advantages are responsible to an increase in the popularity of organic farming and farmers should switch to them for better yield and saving the eco-system.